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Wednesday, January 17, 2007

While I am a huge fan of good fantasy literature there really isn't much in the way of good fantasy literature out there...and please don't even bring up Robert Jordan or R.A. Salvatore because they both blow in major ways...

A few years back I got roped into hosting a science fiction fantasy reading group at work. It's been my experience that these chain bookstore sponsered reading groups usually fail, this group was no exception and only lasted about 6 months. I used the reading group as an opportunity to pick out books I had never read, never considered reading and that's how I first discovered George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones. Initially I picked the book cause I thought this massive tome was not part of a series, boy was I shocked when I got to the end and discovered this was the first book in a 5 book series that has now stretched to 7, but Don't let the size of the books and series discourage you from reading this is one amazingly crafted tale.

Synopsis from the back of Game of Thrones:The first volume of George R R Martin's glorious high fantasy tells the tragic story of treachery, greed and war that threatens the unity of the Seven Kingdoms south of the Wall. Martin unfolds with astonishing skill a tale of truly epic dimensions, thronged with memorable characters, a story of treachery and ambition, love and magic. Set in a fabulous world scarred by battle and catastrophe over 8000 years of recorded history, it tells of the deeds of men and women locked in the deadliest of conflicts and the terrible legacy they will leave their children. In the game of thrones, you win or you die. And in the bitter-cold, unliving lands beyond the Wall, a terrible winter gathers and the others -- the undead, the neverborn, wildlings to whom the threat of the sword is nothing -- make ready to descend on the realms of men. A Game of Thrones begins the most imaginative, ambitious and compelling fantasy epic since The Lord of the Rings. Thronged with memorable characters, it unfolds with astonishing skill a tale of truly epic dimensions. There have been many pretenders to the throne of Tolkien: now at last he has a true heir.

Now today I've heard the exciting news according to Variety, HBO has acquired the rights to the Song of Ice and Fire series and intend to turn the books into a dramatic series to be written and executive produced by David Benioff (Troy) and D.B. Weiss (Halo). Benioff and Weiss will write all episodes but one, which will be written by Martin. They plan to dedicate a season to the plot of each book and there are currently 4 books in print with a 5th expected in 2007. Martin will co-executive produce the series.